The 11 Best Gran Fondos in America

You don't need to speak Italian to know that Gran Fondo stands for badass bike race. The actual translation is debatable – some say it means "big ride" and others "great endurance" – but the one we like is "great foundation." That's exactly what you'll need to take on one of these mass-start competitions that have been a cycling culture staple since Italians first introduced them more than 100 years ago.

Biking 100 miles or more is only one part of the grueling race that takes place on road or dirt and often features sweet swag for winners. What makes a Gran Fondo hardcore is the quad-busting elevation gain. For many races, you'll be pedaling over mountaintops. Because the course requires hilly terrain, these challenges are often set in some of the most breathtaking backdrops, and U.S. events are no exception. Sure, you might be panting the whole way up, but man, what a view! That's just the first part of the reward, too. The second is bragging rights, and, you know, getting in the best shape of your life.

Test your grit and increase your street cred by the mile with one of these 10 Gran Fondo favorites from the world-class endurance coaches at Carmichael Training Systems (CTS), who specialize in getting novice to elite athletes ready to kill courses across the country.

The Boone, NC Gran Fondo

Why it's a must: It's the second-to-last race out of six in the Gran Fondo National Championship Series, which former pro mountain biker Reuben Kline kicked off last year to encourage folks to take their riding to the next level. "The course starts and ends in a cool college town nestled in the Western Carolina Appalachian Mountains. The scenery is unparalleled with grand vistas sometimes stretching 100 miles," says senior-level CTS coach Max Shute, a Ph.D. in Nutrition in Sport and Chronic Disease. What else to expect? "Get ready for timed ascents, fast switchbacks, fun descents, and the awesome support of a cycling-crazy mountain town," he says.